Home | To bottom

Rabbit workers on slowdown until MOA is implemented

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 24) — Philippine Rabbit Bus Employees Union (PRBEU) members staged a slowdown to pressure the Philippine Rabbit Bus Line (PRBL) management to give the workers’ wages, from October 22 to November 15, 2004, as promised.

The workers held a program in the company’s garage in Camp 7 here where they expressed disappointment in the delay of wages a month since the resumption of operations. They also demanded the management to comply with the second Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed PRBL president Nicholo Nisce and PRBEU President Alex Bagtong.
In a statement, workers denounced the continuing non-compliance of the management to the agreements contained in the second MOA.

“Too kind”

PRBEU Executive Secretary Bernie Visaya said that the workers are even too kind that they continue to serve the company despite the fact that they remain unpaid. He added that the Nisce family is again showing signs of insincerity towards the MOA. Workers were promised backwages from March to April of 2004, including 25% of their 13th month pay. In the MOA, benefits include Social Security System (SSS) premiums.

During the program, a worker shared how his family suffered from the company’s hard-hearted attitude towards them. He expressed having felt embarrassed whenever he had no pay to take home to his wife and children. He said he feels bad for his children who cannot afford the same things enjoyed by their playmates.

“We have endured the unbearable conditions in PRBL only to feed our families and send our children to school, but it is useless as the Nisce family and the crooked people in the management fooled us”, the workers lamented.

Union busting

The workers also cried foul over management’s move to break their union. “Mr. Nisce is planning to transfer many workers based here in PRBL Baguio branch because he saw our determination”, Visaya said.

The workers called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to act on their labor case fairly. They also asked the support of all sectors in their struggle for decent wages and fair benefits.

PRBL Baguio Branch manager Cris Soriano met with the workers later that afternoon assuring them that their wages will be paid that day. Soriano said that they would be given their payroll from the resumption of operations from October 29 to November 15. The workers acknowledged the assurance but maintained that there will be no bus trips until they get their full back wages.

Soriano asked the workers to allow room for the full implementation of the MOA. The workers gave him until December 5.
The workers were relieved after receiving their wages. They vowed to remain vigilant on the full implementation of the MOA. # Aldwin Quitasol for NORDIS

Home | Back to top